Assem Izmukhanova Kopitzke, Erica Koonmen, and Lisbeth Reynertson stopped by the WIZM studio Monday night on La Crosse Talk PM to preview the 2026 International Women’s Day Celebration at UW–La Crosse.



Jason Spangler hosted the program, filling in for Rick Solem while he’s on vacation.



The conversation covered this year’s theme, “Give to Gain,” and what the community can expect from the evening — including a panel featuring women representing Denmark, Kazakhstan, and Nigeria, followed by time for audience Q&A.



The 14th Annual International Women’s Day Celebration is happening Tuesday, March 3 from 5–7 p.m. in the Bluffs Ballroom inside the UWL Student Union. The event is free and open to the public. There will also be a menstrual product collection at the door to benefit local schools and women’s shelters (donations of tampons or pads are appreciated).

Assem Izmukhanova Kopitzke, Erica Koonmen, and Lisbeth Reynertson stopped by the WIZM studio Monday night on La Crosse Talk PM to preview the 2026 International Women&rsquo;s Day Celebration at UW&ndash;La Crosse.
 
Jason Spangler hosted the program, filling in for Rick Solem while he&rsquo;s on vacation.
 
The conversation covered this year&rsquo;s theme, &ldquo;Give to Gain,&rdquo; and what the community can expect from the evening &mdash; including a panel featuring women representing Denmark, Kazakhstan, and Nigeria, followed by time for audience Q&amp;A.
 
The 14th Annual International Women&rsquo;s Day Celebration is happening Tuesday, March 3&nbsp;from 5&ndash;7 p.m. in the Bluffs Ballroom inside the UWL Student Union. The event is free and open to the public. There will also be a menstrual product collection at the door to benefit local schools and women&rsquo;s shelters (donations of tampons or pads are appreciated).

Listener conversations about the days events in and around the La Crosse area.  Weekdays from 5-6pm on WIZM 1410AM and 92.3FM

La Crosse Talk PM WIZM

Rick Solem talks about the days events in and around the La Crosse area. Weekdays from 5:07-6pm on 1410 WIZM

Rick Solem talks about the days events in and around the La Crosse area. Weekdays from 5:07-6pm on 1410 WIZM

WIZM - La Crosse

International Women’s Day Celebration returns to UWL Tuesday; guests preview #GiveToGain event

Teacher and Van Orden video

Third Congressional District Democratic Party chair William Garcia stopped by the WIZM studio Friday to discuss Wisconsin politics.

We covered everything from a state Legislature that is already done working for the rest of 2026 to the new Marquette University Law School poll on gubernatorial candidates — which suggests nobody knows who they’re voting for just yet.

We also broke down the “La Crosse viral” video of Central High School’s John Havlicek asking US House Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Prairie du Chien) what he can do to bring costs down.

The video has a few bizarre exchanges, from the Congressman handing Havlicek his helmet before entering the bathroom to Van Orden oddly bumping into the longtime educator.

That contact was a notable echo of an incident at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where Van Orden claimed a “bump” from a protester was “political violence” — an accusation that that woman jailed for 14 hours before bodycam footage eventually cleared her and showed no evidence of an assault.

The video concludes with the Republican claiming the Spanish teacher is a “paid plant” sent to D.C. by George Soros.

Havlicek has been teaching Spanish at Central for over 30 years and is the former La Crosse Education Association president. Van Orden has been in Congress for two terms and is up for reelection this fall.

Listen live weekdays at 5:06 p.m. Find the pod on Spotify, Apple Podcast or here. Tune in on the WIZM app or on air at 92.3 FM / 1410 AM / 106.7 FM (north of Onalaska)

Third Congressional District Democratic Party chair William Garcia stopped by the WIZM studio Friday to discuss Wisconsin politics.
We covered everything from a state Legislature that is already done working for the rest of 2026 to the new Marquette University Law School poll on gubernatorial candidates &mdash; which suggests nobody knows who they&rsquo;re voting for just yet.
We also broke down the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/reel/903187185689060">&ldquo;La Crosse viral&rdquo; video</a>&nbsp;of Central High School&rsquo;s John Havlicek asking US House Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Prairie du Chien) what he can do to bring costs down.
The video has a few bizarre exchanges, from the Congressman handing Havlicek his helmet before entering the bathroom to Van Orden oddly bumping into the longtime educator.
That contact was a notable echo of an incident at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where Van Orden claimed a &ldquo;bump&rdquo; from a protester was &ldquo;political violence&rdquo; &mdash; an accusation that that woman jailed for 14 hours before&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wisn.com/article/wisconsin-body-camera-congressman-van-orden-political-violence/61779690">bodycam footage eventually cleared her</a>&nbsp;and showed no evidence of an assault.
The video concludes with the Republican claiming the Spanish teacher is a &ldquo;paid plant&rdquo; sent to D.C. by George Soros.
Havlicek has been teaching Spanish at Central for over 30 years and is the former La Crosse Education Association president. Van Orden has been in Congress&nbsp;for two terms and is up for reelection this fall.
<hr>
Listen live weekdays at 5:06 p.m. Find the pod on&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1k1QCGhGrFA5KH9Rxh6fIO">Spotify</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/la-crosse-talk-pm-wizm/id1445077021">Apple Podcast</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wizmnews.com/la-crosse-talk-pm-with-rick-solem/">here</a>. Tune in on the WIZM app or on air at 92.3 FM / 1410 AM / 106.7 FM (north of Onalaska)

When that La Crosse teacher confronted Derrick Van Orden

La Crosse lost another legend on Friday.

Duane Moore — a Korean War veteran, one of the founders of Rotary Lights, the 1997 Festmaster for La Crosse’s Oktoberfest and a pillar of the community — passed away peacefully with family by his side at the age of 93.

Moore’s impact was a family affair — he, his wife Jan, and their son Chuck were known as a “quintessential fest family” who “just ate, lived and breathed Oktoberfest,” Terry Cowgill, the 2019 Festmaster said.

Chuck Moore, the 2015 Maple Leaf Parade Marshal, helped us remember his dad Friday, telling stories that included how he was a giant extrovert.

“Events would happen where they couldn’t find him to go home, because he’s down the road talking to people he didn’t know and the rest of the group is in a little circle talking amongst themselves,” Chuck Moore said. “And where’s Duane? He’s off down some place nobody knows talking to some guy he’d never met before.”

Other times, Duane would be off talking but everyone knew where he was — because it was during a parade with thousands in attendance.

“And then he said, ‘Why do I have to ride on the float? I want to march out front.’ So he goes jumping off the float and he’s running down the parade route and meeting people,” Chuck recalled. “Because Duane is a very much a people person. He doesn’t want to sit on a float and wave at people, he wants to run out and say ‘Hi, how you doing?’ and shake your hand.”

Duane had a passion for community.

“He was a champion for volunteerism,” Chuck said of his dad’s philosophy in life. “And if you just go to work and go home and watch TV, you’re wasting your life. You’ve got to go out and meet people and get involved.”

Other ways Duane got involved was preserving history. While Chuck mentioned he may have wanted to get rid of Oktoberfest’s unofficial mascot, King Gambrinus, he also wanted people to know the history of the event. Duane Moore authored the book, The Fest of Times: An Ein Prosit to the 50th Anniversary of Oktoberfest U.S.A.

“He emphasized that the book is a tribute to volunteers,” Brad Quarberg, the 2016 Maple Leaf Parade Marshal and the book’s editor, said. “And he said that in a lot of communities, a lot of people do things behind the scenes, and he wanted to make sure that volunteers were recognized. And he mentioned a few, but then talked about all the volunteers he was able to work with, not only through Oktoberfest, but through a number of other kinds of community events that he was active with.”

“It shows the power of what one single person can bring to this community,” Terry Cowgill, the 2019 Festmaster, added.

Duane Moore was also one of the founders of La Crosse’s legendary Rotary Lights, which has been a pillar of the community since 1994. His passing comes just weeks after another cherished La Crosse community member, Pat Stephens, passed away.

“They were titans of our community for sure,” Cowgill said.

“It’s a sad day, another sad day, that we’re losing another community icon who was instrumental in making the La Crosse area not only beautiful at Christmas, but also the things that was with helping feed the needy in the community,” Quarberg added. “And so, just two great, great leaders for our community who will be missed greatly.”

La Crosse lost another legend on Friday.
Duane Moore &mdash; a Korean War veteran, one of the founders of Rotary Lights, the 1997 Festmaster for La Crosse&rsquo;s Oktoberfest and a pillar of the community &mdash; passed away peacefully with family by his side at the age of 93.
Moore&rsquo;s impact was a family affair &mdash; he, his wife Jan, and their son Chuck were known as a &ldquo;quintessential fest family&rdquo; who &ldquo;just ate, lived and breathed Oktoberfest,&rdquo; Terry Cowgill, the 2019 Festmaster said.
Chuck Moore, the 2015 Maple Leaf Parade Marshal, helped us remember his dad Friday, telling stories that included how he was a giant extrovert.
&ldquo;Events would happen where they couldn&rsquo;t find him to go home, because he&rsquo;s down the road talking to people he didn&rsquo;t know and the rest of the group is in a little circle talking amongst themselves,&rdquo; Chuck Moore said. &ldquo;And where&rsquo;s Duane? He&rsquo;s off down some place nobody knows talking to some guy he&rsquo;d never met before.&rdquo;
Other times, Duane would be off talking but everyone knew where he was &mdash; because it was during a parade with thousands in attendance.
&ldquo;And then he said, &lsquo;Why do I have to ride on the float? I want to march out front.&rsquo; So he goes jumping off the float and he&rsquo;s running down the parade route and meeting people,&rdquo; Chuck recalled. &ldquo;Because Duane is a very much a people person. He doesn&rsquo;t want to sit on a float and wave at people, he wants to run out and say &lsquo;Hi, how you doing?&rsquo; and shake your hand.&rdquo;
Duane had a passion for community.
&ldquo;He was a champion for volunteerism,&rdquo; Chuck said of his dad&rsquo;s philosophy in life. &ldquo;And if you just go to work and go home and watch TV, you&rsquo;re wasting your life. You&rsquo;ve got to go out and meet people and get involved.&rdquo;
Other ways Duane got involved was preserving history. While Chuck mentioned he may have wanted to get rid of Oktoberfest&rsquo;s unofficial mascot, King Gambrinus, he also wanted people to know the history of the event. Duane Moore authored the book, The Fest of Times: An Ein Prosit to the 50th Anniversary of Oktoberfest U.S.A.
&ldquo;He emphasized that the book is a tribute to volunteers,&rdquo; Brad Quarberg, the 2016 Maple Leaf Parade Marshal and the book&rsquo;s editor, said. &ldquo;And he said that in a lot of communities, a lot of people do things behind the scenes, and he wanted to make sure that volunteers were recognized. And he mentioned a few, but then talked about all the volunteers he was able to work with, not only through Oktoberfest, but through a number of other kinds of community events that he was active with.&rdquo;
&ldquo;It shows the power of what one single person can bring to this community,&rdquo; Terry Cowgill, the 2019 Festmaster, added.
Duane Moore was also one of the founders of La Crosse&rsquo;s legendary Rotary Lights, which has been a pillar of the community since 1994. His passing comes just weeks after another cherished La Crosse community member, Pat Stephens, passed away.
&ldquo;They were titans of our community for sure,&rdquo; Cowgill said.
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a sad day, another sad day, that we&rsquo;re losing another community icon who was instrumental in making the La Crosse area not only beautiful at Christmas, but also the things that was with helping feed the needy in the community,&rdquo; Quarberg added. &ldquo;And so, just two great, great leaders for our community who will be missed greatly.&rdquo;

Chuck Moore remembering his dad, La Crosse community icon Duane Moore

He’s one of multiple candidates for Wisconsin governor, and he made his second trip to the WIZM studios this past week.

Joel Brennan joined to discuss why he wants the top job in the state and how he plans to set himself apart from the other six Democratic candidates vying to take on Republican Tom Tiffany.

Brennan had stopped at La Crosse’s Parenting Place earlier in the day, so we spent a good portion of the show discussing the childcare crisis. Brennan specifically called for Wisconsin to set a "marker" similar to New Mexico's universal free childcare plan to support working families.

We also talked more of “the hits” — the core issues of healthcare, housing, affordability and education that most candidates have policy positions on. 

In regards to housing, Brennan noted that Wisconsin is currently “underbuilt by about 70,000 homes,” which he says has pushed the "American dream" further away for young families.

Outside “the hits,” we discussed protecting the 2026 election and the rhetoric that ICE might be sent to intimidate at the polls. Brennan addressed those concerns, proposing an “accountability commission” to allow citizens to document and upload video of any interference at the polls.

To wrap up, we looked at Brennan's background. He recently took a leave of absence from his role as president of the Greater Milwaukee Committee to run for governor, and he leaned heavily on his executive resume. 

Brennan previously served as the Secretary of the Department of Administration under Governor Tony Evers — notably during the COVID-19 pandemic — and spent 11 years as the CEO of Milwaukee’s Discovery World.

“What I have done over the last 25 years of my career is I have had executive positions where the job was about problem solving,” Brennan said, arguing that his time in the Evers cabinet prepared him to lead on “day one.”

He&rsquo;s one of multiple candidates for Wisconsin governor, and he made his second trip to the WIZM studios this past week.
Joel Brennan joined to discuss why he wants the top job in the state and how he plans to set himself apart from the other six Democratic candidates vying to take on Republican Tom Tiffany.
Brennan had stopped at La Crosse&rsquo;s Parenting Place earlier in the day, so we spent a good portion of the show discussing the childcare crisis. Brennan specifically called for Wisconsin to set a "marker" similar to New Mexico's universal free childcare plan to support working families.
We also talked more of &ldquo;the hits&rdquo; &mdash; the core issues of healthcare, housing, affordability and education that most candidates have policy positions on.&nbsp;
In regards to housing, Brennan noted that Wisconsin is currently &ldquo;underbuilt by about 70,000 homes,&rdquo; which he says has pushed the "American dream" further away for young families.
Outside &ldquo;the hits,&rdquo; we discussed protecting the 2026 election and the rhetoric that ICE might be sent to intimidate at the polls. Brennan addressed those concerns, proposing an &ldquo;accountability commission&rdquo; to allow citizens to document and upload video of any interference at the polls.
To wrap up, we looked at Brennan's background. He recently took a leave of absence from his role as president of the Greater Milwaukee Committee to run for governor, and he leaned heavily on his executive resume.&nbsp;
Brennan previously served as the Secretary of the Department of Administration under Governor Tony Evers &mdash; notably during the COVID-19 pandemic &mdash; and spent 11 years as the CEO of Milwaukee&rsquo;s Discovery World.
&ldquo;What I have done over the last 25 years of my career is I have had executive positions where the job was about problem solving,&rdquo; Brennan said, arguing that his time in the Evers cabinet prepared him to lead on &ldquo;day one.&rdquo;

International Women’s Day Celebration returns to UWL Tuesday; guests preview #GiveToGain event

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